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' F. sismxefcr.` SPARK ARRBSTERl (No Model.) Y

Patented Sept. A8, 1885.

CQ@ @@QQ W/ TAL/55555 UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

FREDRICK S. BRAG-G, OF CORN ING, NEV YORK.

SPARK-ARRESTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 325,907, dated September 8, 1885.

Application filed June 3, i885. (No model.)

. To all whom t may concer/m Be it known that I, FREDRIGK S. BRAGG, of Corning, in the county of Steuben, inthe State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Spark-Arresters, of which the following, taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

The objects of this invention are, first, to prevent accumulation of cinders in the smokeboX; secondly, to discharge the cinders from the bottom ofthe smoke-box immediatelyafter they emerge from thev flue; thirdly, to extinguish the re in the cinders before discharging them from the smoke-box; and, fourthly, to moderate the draft through the dues and stack so as to prevent the ne particles of `fuel from being drawn out of the hre-box and expelled through the stack, and thus economize in the consumption ofvfuel; and to the attainment of these objects my invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts, as hereinafter fully described, and specifically set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure I is a longitudinal section of the smoke-box of a locomotive-boiler provided with my improvements. Fig. II is a vertical transverse section on line xx, Fig. I, on a reduced scale; and Fig. III is an enlarged' detached plan view of the under side of the gates or valves which are applied to the opening in the bottom of the smoke-box. y

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

E represents the forward end of a locomotive-boiler; C, the flue-sheet at said end; h h, the lues; D, the smoke-box, and A the stack. l B denotes the wire-netting extended horizontally across the smoke-box, so as to be interposed between the ends of the dues h h and stack A, and thus arrest the escape of the cinders and sparks through the stack.

O represents an opening in the bottom of the smoke-box at the end farthest from the fluesheet C, the latter location of the said opening being preferred, for thereason hereinafter explained. A frame, a, secured to the under side of the smoke-box and surrounding theopening O, is provided with a suitable valve or gate, b,which in this case is represented in the form of a plate sliding in grooves in opposite sides of the frame a.

Although my invention is designed to obviate accumulation of cinders in the smokebox, yet in case the constant outlet hereinafter described becomes clogged, by reason of the cinders being moistened, the gate b can be opened to permit of removing the cinders.

A spoutje, extending from the frame a downward and rearward, serves to deliver the einders onto the road-bed in the center of the track. v

r-lhe valve or gate b, I provide with a port or opening, o, for the inlet of air and for the constant dischargeof cinders.

A supplemental valve, d, is pivoted on the gate b in such a position that while permitting of regulating the size of the opening it is prevented from entirely closing the saine, Aand thus leaves a permanent opening. Said supplemental valve is connected bya rod, i,with a lever, Z,which may be arranged either at the front end of the smoke-box, as shown, or in the cab of the engine, as may be desired. By means of said lever the supplemental valve can be adj usted in its position at will of the engineer.

The operation of my invention is as follows: When the engine is in operation, and especially when,with high pressure of steam and full stroke of valve, the vacuum produced in the smoke-box by the expulsion ofthe exhauststeam through the stack is to a certain degree supplied with air through the port or opening o, and thus the draft through the Ilues is moderated so as t0 prevent fine particles of fuel from being drawn through the flues, and consequently the consumption of fuel is economized. By locating the opening c at the end farthest from the flue-sheet C, as hereinbefore stated, the current of the incoming airis caused to meet the current of-products of combustion under the wire netting B, and while the fine dust escapes through the netting and escapes with the smoke through the stack, the meeting of the cold current of air with the cinders checks the progress of the latter, and more or less extinguishes the sparks. Theaforesaid counter-currents produce awhirl of the cinders which gradually carries the cinders to the opening c, and on arrival thereat they drop by gravity through said opening, as indicated in Fig. I of the drawings, thus preventing accumulation of cinders in the smoke-box; and inasmuch as the discharge of cinders is constant, and consequently in a comparatively small stream, to the roadbed, the scattering of cinders over the working parts and bearings of the engine, and the resultant injuries to the same, are to a great extent obviated.

The aforesaid constant discharge of cinders from the smoke-box is an indisputable fact proven to me by practical tests made by me. After running the engine al1 day With coal as fuel I have found the smoke-box nearly empty, there being usually a Very small quantity of cinders left on the bottom of the smoke-box, between the flue-sheet and opening o.

Having described my invention,what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

1. The combination, with the smoke-box of a locomotive-boiler, of a cinder-discharge open ing in the bottom of said smoke-box at the end farthest from the flue-sheet, a Valve or gate across said opening and limited to leave apermanent opening, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. rlhe combination,with the smoke-box of alocom otive-boiler, of a einder-discharge opening in the bottom of said smoke-box at the end farthest from the flue-sheet, a gate across said opening and provided with an air-inlet port through it, and a supplemental valve or gate for regulating said inlet, substantially as described and shown, for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination with the smoke-box of a locomotive-boiler, of a wire-netting interposed between the ends of the dues and stack, a cinder-discharge opening in the bottom of said smoke-box at the end farthest from the Hue-sheet, a gate across said opening and provided with an air-inlet port through it, and a supplemental valve or gate for regulating said inlet, substantially as described and shown, for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name and affixed my seal, in the presence of two attesting Witnesses, at Corning, in the county of Steuben, in the State of New York, this 22d day of May, 1885.

FREDRICK S. BRAGG. [L

Vitnesses:

NV. S. HooLYMAN, E. D. MILLS. 

